The Error of Billy Graham

Baruch · May 26, 2009

Luke 6: 26Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

May God cause the increase.

Many speak well of Billy Graham because he has led many to Christ by offering the altar call of the commitmernt to follow Christ as a means for salvation. Below is the usual approximate presentation of the Gospel before he gives the apostate altar call.

Now comes the altar call.

I ask all that read this: Is that how you are saved? Are we saved by keeping our commitment to follow Him?

This would explain his answer in this interview given which has been made public at this site:

http://www.cephasministry.com/billy_graham_meet_the_real.html

Are sinners doubting about their salvation? No. So then whom is this question posed towards? The believers. Is it not strange how his crusades are catered to the believers?

This site is really hitting on exposing Billy Graham as a mason, but do consider this fact about masonic beliefs and that is they believe that majority of men needs to be ruled over, so guess who are the lucky minority to rule over them?

http://educate-yourself.org/mc/illumformula5Bchap.shtml

It has also been known that in order for Catholics to come to his crusades, his association made this promise not to convert anyone from their church so that whomever the believer is formerly or presently affiliated by, they would send them back to that church.

So as I point out that the fruit of the false prophet is ecumenical in nature, so is the Billy Graham's Crusade as catholics are still catholics and mormons would still be mormons and so forth and so on because all that was different when they walked away from that crusade is having made a commitment to follow Christ to save themselves.

So read this other interview where Billy Graham did not believe that a person has to know Jesus Christ in order to be saved.

http://www.biblebb.com/files/tonyqa/tc00-105.htm

I was led to make a commitment to follow Christ by my young adult Sunday school teachers even though I had already believed in Him. They had implied that by doing so I was making Him Lord of my life instead of just believing in Him as Saviour. I testify that ever since then, I was living the christian life by the flesh of doing the best I can in keeping that commitment and failing. I had been to Urbana where Billy Graham was oe of the speakers and I made a "re-commitment" to follow Christ.. and again in that same time I was there. Later on in years, I had quit twice from being a deacon because I felt like a fraud.

It was in 1994 when I had come across this pamphlet by Bill Rudge's Ministries that I was convicted of the words of my mouth for I had picked up the habit of cussing outloud at the warehouse when no one was around to let off some steam, but on the back of it, it led me to make a covenant with my mouth not to cuss, and so I did. The very next day, I was worse than I ever was before. Thoughts in my head were saying, "You are not His. If you were His, He would have helped you keep your covenant." I thank the Lord that I had stopped listening to the devil, but I was at my wits end and so I asked the Lord, "Why aren't you helping me? You know I do not want to do this."

He answered.. a small still voice not audible.."You made the covenant. You said you were going to do it. I made the Covenant and I said I am going to do it. All I asked from you is to believe on Me."

I was humbled that day. As Promise Keepers were swallowing up the churches in the county, I tried to warn others that resorting to our own power in living the christian life was not of the faith at two Bible studies I was going to during that one week. One group says that PK was not about making promises to man for man cannot always be there for you and that they just made promises to God. The other group says that PK was not aboyt making promises to God for they knew better than to make promises they cannot keep so they just made promises to man to help each other be accountabloe in their walk with Christ. I never been to one PK convention but in spite of those that went, I can read: it is both!!! In the one Bibe study, a catholic/ mason through the final revelation that made me see what the Lord was trying to tell me long ago when I led a woman whom was a believer to make a commitment to follow Christ and I thought to myself.."I did it!" as I was thinking that I had long to go to be as great as Billy Graham in serving the Lord, but then the Lord rebuked me and said.."No I did it...." but the rest I could not receive until that moment with the catholic/ mason saying..."Isn't a commitment to Christ like a promise? Sure it is.." And right then and there, I repented and declared that I shall no longer be known by my commitment to Him but be known as His by my faith in the Son of God.

I asked the Lord to set me free from my commitment to follow Him to rest in His Covenant in Jesus Christ at last. I could not find the woman that I led to make that commitment to Christ, but I did ask the Lord to release her from it, and I was informed to let it rest in Jesus.

The just shall live by faith in Jesus and all His promises to us. Believe Him as trust is teh basis for all relationships that even children can come to Him. Amen.

Thaddaeus · May 26, 2009

Baruch said:

I didn't take time to read all this post I saw your error in the very first part , and knew it would be a waste of my time , the verse says when all men shall speak well of you, you said thatmany speak <Sir All, could be many , but many is not all so your verse does not apply too, Rev. Billy Graham ..
Mt 16:24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.Mt 16:25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

1still_waters · May 26, 2009

Baruch said:

Acts 2: 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Proverbs 3

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

BLC · May 26, 2009

As a believer when I see a man of God that was called to preached the gospel in all the world and has actually done it faithfully for a half a century, I should be very careful how I think and what I say about that man. The Father is very zealous that His house be full. The organization of the Billy Graham Crusades has always done a great job in getting a full house wherever they go. That ministry has been used by God to draw and evangelize people from all over the world. God raised up that ministry to do exactly what it was called by God to do. Never should anyone take shots at any man that God has called by grace to fulfill a ministry. They have been able to minister in places by invitation that others would have never been able to. It was the authority of God that called and maintained that ministry for all these years and the fruit is indisputable. That ministry should be honored for the work and the labor of love that has been carried out and for the way they have fulfilled their ministry. Leave the messenger alone and let God do as He sees fit. Our call is to edify and build up those that have been called by God and that is our calling as members one of another in the body of Christ.

Baruch · May 26, 2009

Thaddaeus said:

Then heed the words of Billy Graham's and compare them with His.

Did Jesus had any confidence in man to ask a vow or a promise or looked to any yoke to make them obedient into following Him?

By making a commitment to follow Christ for assurances of salvation as if keeping it is a means in saving yourself.... that is one who is trying to save his own life and thus by Jesus' own words, they will lose it.

It is by denying yourself as being able to save yourself and taking up the cross... we follow Him by faith.

But the commitment to follow Christ speaks of "I will..." thus it is a false witness of oneself.

And yet the faith in Jesus Christ declares "He will..." and this is what it means to be witnesses of Him.

There are three links in the OP showing statements from Billy Graham and his connections to freemasonry that explains why even he is unsure about entering into the Kingdom of Heaven.

By the commitment to follow Christ no man shall be found justified for by that commitment to follow Christ is the knowledge of sin.

Do we live by faith in the Son of God or do we respond to the Gospel in the way that many might men and nobles would respond to?

Discern that, brother.

Baruch · May 26, 2009

1still_waters said:

I appreciate you showing the flip side of the coin in having a good name, but it is the glory of that name that is being addressed... as in the Billy Graham's Crusade.

John 7:18He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. 19Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

2 Corinthians 11:19For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. 20For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

1 Corinthians 1:26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

And do I need to point out yet again, those respondents were already believers in the majority that made that commitment to follow Christ for salvation? All that walked away from that crusade as credit to Billy Graham's was because they had just became religious christians as simply by finishing what He has started but by the flesh of keeping their commitment to follow Him.

And yet the just shall live by faith.

All Billy Graham had to do when addressing the issue if a believer was unsure about being saved or not is go over the promises of God in Christ Jesus.... but instead, Billy Graham pulled the biggest con artist pull over the believers' eyes in the history of the Protestant and Catholic churches.

Did you check out those three links in the OP?

Surely there must be something there that will give you pause.

Baruch · May 26, 2009

BLC said:

Oh.. I am done thinking about that man.. it is that altar call which is apsotate. Yeah. I said it and I meant it. Now that Christ has set me free from being tossed hither and thither by this deceitful altar call which is nothing else but a doctrine of man.

We are in a relationship with Christ established by believing in Him.

Did those Gentiles that received the Holy Spirit when they heard the Gospel and believed, came forward and got baptized first?

And yet instead of giving glory to God for saving them... the credit goes to Billy Graham. "Wow. Look at what he did..."

That's right. Billy did it. God had no part in it because it was all man.

Galatians 3:1O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
4Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
5He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
11But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

So if anyone sought to be justified by keeping their commitment to follow Christ, shall be judged by it.

We are under grace so that we may know Him and the power of His resurrection in living the christian life by faith in the Son of God.

Philippians 3: 8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings,..........

Galatians 2:20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Galatians 5:1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Matthew 5:33Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

John 6:28Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Philippians 1: 6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: .. 9And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. 11Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Where is that faith? Truly, we are living in perilous times as men resort to their own powers and chase after other gods in departing from the faith.

2 Corinthians 4:5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

2 Corinthians 3: 3Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 4And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Psalm 100:3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

If every believer would stop being a groupie of Billy Graham and lean on Jesus to discern these points of contention, you would see why I am sounding the alarm. But then, I suppose evenb catholics have trouble taking pause of what they have generally accpeted without trying those words by the scriptures.

May God cause the increase and deliver some from this snare of the devil.

All one needs for assurances of salvation is to look at the promises of God in Christ Jesus for those assurances. Amen.

BLC · May 27, 2009

Now comes the altar call.

Quote: 'If you are not sure you are saved... come forward and make a commitment to follow Christ'.

You have a problem with this altar call? Look at all the possible thoughts and imaginations, religious and otherwise, that go on in people's minds and hearts for years. They are endless. They have been told this and that and all kinds of other things concerning Christ. Some have been raised in religious homes and practiced religion without knowing anything about the love of God and salvation. Many are good people but do not know the truth about the sacrifice of Christ or anything about the grace of God. You have all kinds of people, from different backgrounds that come to these crusades because God was drawing them and they needed to hear the message that was preached. When the Holy Spirit convicts the heart of the listener, now is the time of their salvation. There are tens of thousands of people hearing the same message. There is a harvest to be reaped in God's house. The gospel of Christ that is preached is the power of God unto salvation. Just think if after preaching Christ before all these people, they did not give an altar call? What would you say then? Would you be critical of them and accuse of spiritual negligence? Be thankful that so many have heard the gospel through this ministry and that Christ was preached and souls were added to the church. If you deny that, you may be denying Christ.

KingdomGeneration · May 27, 2009

Now you're attacking one of your own. That speaks volumes about just how highly you think of your own opinions...

Thaddaeus · May 27, 2009

Baruch said:

discern this I preach salvation by faith, but I preach holiness because I am saved not to get saved. But we are told to crucify the old man my closing verse of each thread

Ro 12:1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
it is our reasonable service, not that we need it for our salvation

Knightjester · May 27, 2009

If you can see “the error” of Billy Graham who with “this error” had managed to bring many into the kingdom of God,
Then you must have corrected this “error” and done “the right thing” according to you,
and in your work you’ve been herding twice if not triple as many people to that of Billy Graham’s.
Or we’re just talking for the sake of talking here.

I thank God,
The Lord who gave us Billy Graham,
Amen!
~Ren

eric51 · May 27, 2009

Baruch said:

Quote: was stunned to silence and even to a trembling of my soul when I read Billy Graham actually say that Jesus Christ may say to him, "You are in the wrong place"!! Of all the fruits of the Holy Spirit in our lives, assurance of Salvation is paramount. The Holy Spirit literally fills our hearts with the firm assurance that we are as assured of Heaven as if we are already there. Yet, here is the famous Evangelist, Billy Graham, saying he is not sure of his salvation?

Actually, though I am not a particular fan of Billy Graham, his Salvation theology is correct. Yours is mistaken.

Heb. 9:12 - Christ's sacrifice secured our redemption, but redemption is not the same thing as salvation. We participate in and hope for salvation. Our hope in salvation is a guarantee if we are faithful to Christ to the end. But if we lose hope and fail to persevere, we can lose our salvation. Thus, by our own choosing (not by God's doing), salvation is not a certainty. While many Protestant churches believe in the theology of "once saved, always saved," such a novel theory is not found in Scripture and has never been taught by the Church.

Rom. 5:2 - we rejoice in the "hope" (not the presumptuous certainty) of sharing the glory of God. If salvation is absolutely assured after accepting Jesus as Savior, why would Paul hope?

Rom. 5:5 - this "hope" does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Our hope is assured if we persevere to the end.

Rom. 8:24 - this "hope" of salvation that Paul writes about is unnecessary if salvation is guaranteed. If salvation is assured, then why hope?

Rom. 12:12 - rejoice in your "hope" (not your certainty), be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer.
2 Cor. 3:12 - since we have a "hope" (not a certainty), we are very bold. We can be bold when we are in God’s grace and our persevering in obedient faith.

Gal. 5:5 - for through the Spirit by faith we wait for the "hope" (not the certainty) of righteousness.
Eph. 1:18 - that you may know what is the "hope" to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance.

Eph. 4:4 - there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one "hope" (not the one certainty) that belongs to your call.
Eph. 6:10-17 – Paul instructs the Ephesians to take the whole armor of God, the breastplate of righteousness, and the helmet of salvation, in order “to stand,” lest they fall. Paul does not give any assurance that the spiritual battle is already won.

Phil. 3:11 - Paul shares Christ's sufferings so that "if possible" he may attain resurrection. Paul does not view his own resurrection as a certainty.
Phil. 1:20 - as it is my eager expectation and "hope" (not certainty) that I shall not be at all ashamed before Christ.

Col. 1:5 - Paul refers to the "hope" (not guarantee) that Christ laid up for us in heaven.

Col. 1:23 - provided that you continue in the faith, not shifting from the "hope" of the gospel which you heard.
Col. 1:27 - to them God chose to make known His mystery, which is Christ in you, the "hope" (not the certainty) of His glory.

1 Thess. 1:3 - remembering before our God your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of "hope" in Jesus Christ.

1 Thess. 2:19 - for what is our "hope" or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?

These are just some of the verses that make it absolutely clear that there is no assurance of eternal salvation. It is left to, and only to, God's judgment which will be passed on your entire lifetime of faith and works of love.

God Bless.

Amen
1 Thess. 5:8 - we must put on the helmet of "hope" (not of certainty) of salvation.

Dragoon9 · May 27, 2009

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. (Matthew 7:1-5)

You're right that no man is holy, or good, or perfect.

If my brother is in error, should I proclaim it to the world so that he might be put to shame?

Since I've come to this forum, I've seen many people pointing at the error and sin of others. Some seem to build their faith around looking at others.

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye (Matthew 7:5)

I've often found that the messages that God gives us passion to spread are those that are really meant for ourselves. That said, let me now go and seek more righteousness and obedience in my own walk

Baruch · May 27, 2009

BLC said:

Yep. The scriptures says so. Billy Graham is not fuilly preaching the Gospel. Explain the meaning of verse 18 below.

Romans 15:15Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, 16That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. 17I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. 18For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

How can there be a harvest in God's House?

Hebrews 6: 1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3And this will we do, if God permit. 4For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

If a believer is unsure about salvation, they are to go over His promises in the scriptures... not resort to their own power in living the christian life by making and keeping that commitment to follow Him for then they will really have doubts for by that coimmitment to follow Christ is not something man is abale to do for His standard are higher than the works of the Law. We are to live by faith in the Son of God to live this christian life as He is committed to us because He made the Covenant saying He will help us live as His. That is how you get to know Him whne you place your trust in the Lord to live as His just as you are trusting Him for eternal life.

The commitment to follow Christ speaks of man in saying "I will.." the same format found in NA, AA, and other self help groups. They speak of a higher power but in the eyes of the religious world and in the eyes of GOD... IF IT IS YOUR COMMITMENT... YOUR PROMISE... YOUR VOW.. YOU ARE TO DO IT. You get the credit for doing it because it is your commitment, but no one can really keep that commitment to follow Christ. It is a false witness of man.

We are to be witnesses of Him. If it is not we who live but Christ Who liveth in us, how can that be conveyed of our faith in Him when we tack on our filthy rags of righteousness as saying we are doing it? It is either one or the other for the religious world will just be seeing you doing it as NA and AA, and other self help are seeing it done.

John 5:31If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

John 7:18He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. 19Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

It is the altar call that many mighty men and nobles will respond to.

It is not the response of faith to the Gospel. That altar call is a response of believers finishing by the flesh what Christ has started by the Spirit... and for what? The assurance of salvation.

Billy Graham is a perfect example of a flim flam artist. Why did he give such an altar call when he lareday stated one promise from God in Christ Jesus... that it is not by going to church every Sunday that is going to save you... it is not by keeping the Ten Commandments that is going to save you... it is all those that call upon the name of the Lord... so why flip that Gospel presentation to... making a commitmeent to follow Christ which means.. going to church every Sunday is going to save you... keeping the Ten Commandments and more because Jesus standard are higher than the works of the law is what is going to save you... hence the biggest hypocrisey of it all right there in the words Billy Graham has spoken and why even he admitted in the interviews at those links in the OP how he even doubted his own salvation and believed that others that had never heard of Christ can still go to Heaven. May God open your eyes to his labouring in uneblief as keepinmg the commitment to follow Christ can be anybody's assurances of salvation. It is no wonder why even Billy Graham has doubts for by that commitment to follow Christ is the knowledge of sin, and all beleivers are rebuilding again the transgressions that we had formerly escaped before by His grace.

Are we the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ or are we the childen of the world in saying we can live the christian life by keeping our commitment to follow Jesus.

If you know catholicism is labouring in unbelief... and yet Catholics see the RCC has being responsible for spreading the Gospel.. the Bible.. etc.. etc... and yet you know full well that is not all they teach as they have many errors coming inbetween them and Jesus... then this one error... this one thing inbetween religious believers and Jesus Christ is how they will not be known as keeping that commitmernt to follow Him

Are you under the letter or are you being led by the Spirit? It is no wonder why the world sees christinianity as another religion when it is a relationship based on trust in the Word of God for believers to live by faith so as to be withnesses of Him and not of ourselves.

May God cause the increase.... and set those free from labouring in unbelief and find their rest in Jesus Christ.

MahogonySnail · May 28, 2009

I bet Billy Graham has led more people to the Lord than you naysayers and fault finders and heresy hunters (yes you know who you are) ever will!

Baruch · May 28, 2009

Thaddaeus said:

Now discern Billy Grahams' words. This format has not changed even after Franklin Graham has taken over the ministry.

"If you are not sure you are saved, come forward and make a commitment to follow Christ."

Tell me how this is not for salvation.

lovespeace123 · May 28, 2009

My thoughts - I think the biggest thing that Billy Graham missed was not telling people (or placing a great enough emphasis) that the godly in Christ are persecuted or that the cup of Christ ON EARTH was a cup of suffering. It's the foundation that when tested proves that a lot of his teachings (correct or incorrect) were built on a faulty foundation. No one can be a 'child' of God forever. If you continue to (by faith) eat and grow in God; by faith YOU WILL ATTAIN TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY. At some point, all the children must become women and men of God, and as in nature - adulthood is more complex and harder than childhood.

Sam

Baruch · May 28, 2009

MahogonySnail said:

Consider His words then.

Matthew 23:13But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

And yet as many find the commitment to follow Christ as hard to keep as His standard are higher than the works of the Law: Here are a few words you may have heard in your travles...

"Ever since I made the commitment, the devil has been after me to break it ever since. Living the christian life is hard. Little children should not make a commitment to follow Christ because they don't know what they are getting into."

Yep. That was all from one person whom is a pastor now in a church of his own in the valley. I tried to correct him and his bulletin goes with the approximate recollection" You bind them and God will do the rest."

Another saying is...

"We can't say anything to correct them for we are not perfect either. We have not been faithful in keeping our commitment to follow Christ."

And yet these believers were married and by His Words, should be free to correct believers having sex before or outside of marriage, but of course, the commitment to follow Christ incorporates everything so they did not believe they had the right to correct anyone. Can anyone then by that yoke?

"Some christian he is..."

"Oh.. he is not a christian..."

"He had his fingers crossed when he came forward..."

"He is not trying hard enough..."

"I wonder if he really came to Jesus in the first place..."

"I doubt he ever waqs saved..."

How is it that believers are having this mentality towards another believer to judge as to condemn in that manner? And yet...

"I made a commitment to follow Christ when I was five years old, and I have kept it ever since."

That bears testimony of self and seeks the glory of that person which scriptures says is a false witness and not glory at all.

"They need to make a recommitment to follow Christ."

All because...

"They have backslidden...." or "they have sinned..."

And yet they that judged declares they have kept theirs.

I came across an agnostic whom testified of the falsehood he was seeing and it was because of that and his inability to keep His, that he walked away from Jesus entirely. I posted to correct Him as He enabled me, but I have yet to see any result at CARM while the religious defending that commitment to follow Christ still fail to see the falsehood of this religious altar call.

So tell me this...

Matthew 11:28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

If Jesus had any confidence in man in being able to keep his commitment to follow Him for salvation.... why didn't He say that then here below?

John 6:28Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Why was this written?

John 2: 23Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 24But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

Jesus even hinted about the fallible condition of man here below.

Matthew 26:41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Matthew 19:25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Why did Paul say this also?

Galatians 5:1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage..... 4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. ....7Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

If circumcision was the smallest letter of the law and if they do that, they are debtors to do the whole law, what do you think a religious bondage of "I will.." to Christ will mean as any commitment is seen as a vow or a promise of declaring they will do it?

But faith declares He will do it as to why we follow Him by faith as led by the Spirit to be finished by Jesus Christ in His day of glory thus signifying a relationship based on trust and not religious strivings which is not resting in Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1: 6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: .......9And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. 11Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

So when you hear of a person's commitment to follow Christ... doi you see him or her speaking of Jesus Chritst or what they are doing?

And yet when believers speak of their faith in Christ, it is how sinners see their hopes in Jesus.

One woman said this below and I wonder if that altar call had anything to do with it.

"I need to get my life in order before I come to Jesus."

Jesus came into the world to save sinners from their sins... not to save "the righteous". That is His glory.

Discern that, brother.

Baruch · May 28, 2009

lovespeace123 said:

Then consider this.. Jesus invited the little children to come to Him freely and in order ot receive the Kingdom of Heaven, we must become as a child. So my faith declares the meaning that all children can do is trust the Lord.

Mark 10:13And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

John 6:28Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Philippians 1:6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: .... 9And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. 11Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

The danger of an adult bis living the christian life religiously as many of the worldwould answer a religious altar call.

1 Corinthians 1:25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Galatians 3:1O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 4Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 5He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 6Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Galatians 3: 14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

So it all comes down to how we bear witness of the Good News in Christ Jesus... by faith.. or religiously?

Galatians 3: 26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The hard parts for adults is to not get hyped up in resorting to their own power in living the christian life or to obtain salvation which is what the altar call of Billy Graham was offered for so any believer that was unsure about their salvation, can have it by the flesh of keeping their commitment to follow Jesus.

That is not the Gospel. We follow Jesus by faith just as we have faith in Him that He saved us.

Baruch · May 28, 2009

Dragoon9 said:

And after the Lord reporved me of this deceitful doctrine of man and thus removed the mote in my eye, it was then that I saw clearly for what it is to remove the speck in my brother's eye.

If you came across a brother caught in a trespass, you do not ignore him and let him proceed on his way. Jesus said..

Matthew 18:12How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. 15Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

I have addressed the Billy Graham association.. addressing Billy Graham directly for which I highly doubt he read it and all I got was a polite thank you and that was it.

So for someone that is out there leading many people that were already believers in the first place to make a commitment to follow Christ as a means for the assurances of salvation as if by keeping it, one is assured salvation... then by that commitment to follow Christ is the knowledge of sin and thus adding to the believer of their lack of assurances for their salvation.

Definitely time to speak up and out of turn, brother.

The Error of Billy Graham

Baruch

Guest

Thaddaeus

Banned

1still_waters

Guest

BLC

Banned

Baruch

Guest

Baruch

Guest

Baruch

Guest

BLC

Banned

KingdomGeneration

Guest

Thaddaeus

Banned

Knightjester

Guest

eric51

Banned

Dragoon9

Guest

Baruch

Guest

MahogonySnail

Banned

Baruch

Guest

lovespeace123

Guest

Baruch

Guest

Baruch

Guest

Baruch

Guest